Here you find a full guide to Hunting in Red Dead Redemption 2, featuring information on how to track an animal, meat quality types, the best weapons to use and the resources animals can provide.

Hunting Animals in RDR2

Animals and birds in Red Dead Redemption 2 are valuable natural resources and can be hunted for their meat, hides, and other useful materials. Animal carcasses can be sold in town or brought back to camp to help the gang.

You can cook and eat many types of game, and sell hunted animals at General Stores and Trapper stores. Certain pelts can be used by trappers to upgrade your clothing and accessories. Some more unusual parts, like teeth and claws, have mysterious powers when worn as talismans.

When hunting, choose your weapon carefully to avoid damaging the animal's pelt too much. Carcasses which have been damaged by multiple wounds, or have been dragged around while the animal struggled, are worth less money than pristine ones.

You can buy or craft bait to attract wild animals. Predators and herbivores will respond to different types of bait. Drop bait on the ground, then crouch nearby to hide and stay still while waiting for the animal to arrive. The bait can take a few minutes to begin working. You can also use carcasses as bait. Carnivores and predators will be attracted to freshly killed animals left in the wilderness.

Cover scents can make it harder for animals to detect your presence, allowing you to sneak up closer and catch your prey unawares. You can craft or buy a supply of cover scent. If you use stealth and a silent weapon, like the bow, then you'll be able to creep closer to animals without startling them.

Companions who want to go hunting with you will be marked with an Gunsight Icon on the radar.

Meat Quality Types

Each species of animal in Red Dead Redemption 2 will provide a different quality of meat. The type of meat will provide different benefits and can be used for different recipes.

Low Quality Meat

Gamey Bird: Low quality meat from various small bird

Stringy Meat: Meat from vermin and other small animals like rats

Herptile Meat: Meat from reptiles and amphibians

Gritty Fish: Fillet of low quality fish like Bluegill

Good Quality Meat

Gristly Mutton: Filling mutton from Sheep and Goats

Flakey Fish: Satisfying fillet from fish of good quality like Perch and Bass

Plump Bird: Meat from birds such as Chickens, Geese and Turkeys

Crustacean: Meat from various shellfish

High Quality Meat

Prime Beef: High quality meat from animals like Cows and Buffalo

Mature Venison: Cuts of high quality Deer meat

Tender Pork: Succulent, filling meat from animals such as Javelina and Pigs

Game: Meat from game such as Rabbits, Pheasants and Ducks

Succulent Fish: Fillet of high quality fish like Salmon and Trout

Exotic Bird: Meat from rare birds such as Parrots, Pelicans and Carolina Parakeets

Best Quality Meat

Big Game: Meat from large predators such as Bears, Wolves and Alligators

Tracking Animals

You can track nearby animals by pressing L3 and R3 to activate Eagle Eye. Press R1 to focus on the track, making it easier to follow.

Look out for other signs of animal life in the wilderness too, such as footprints, scat, or remains of eaten prey.

Hunted Animals

Hunted animal pelts and parts are stored in your Satchel or stowed on your horse. Entire animals can be stowed on your horse. Carry the carcass to the horse and hold Square to stow. You can bring carcasses to Pearson and donate them to the gang camp, or take them to a Butcher in town to sell.

You can cook meat at a campfire. When you have hunted and skinned an animal, and set up your camp, you can cook meat through the crafting menu. Using herbs and seasoning makes for a more satisfying meal.

Animals left on your horse will eventually start to decompose. Be sure to sell, or butcher and cook them before this happens.

You will find many different species of animals which live in their own particular habitats around the world. Keep an eye on your Compendium and Map for hints about good hunting grounds. Gathering certain animal parts will help you to unlock ranks in the Master Hunter Challenge.

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